Q Meter

Definition: The instrument which measures the storage factor or quality factor of the
electrical circuit at radio frequencies, such type of device is known as the Q-meter. The quality
factor is one of the parameters of the oscillatory system, which shows the relation between
the storage and dissipated energy.

The Q meter measures the quality factor of the circuit which shows the total
energy dissipated by it. It also explains the properties of the coil and
capacitor. The Q meter uses in a laboratory for testing the radio frequency of
the coils.

Working Principle of Q meter

The Q meter works on series resonant. The resonance is the condition exists in the
circuit when their inductance and capacitance reactance are of equal magnitude. They
induce energy which is oscillating between the electric and magnetic field of the
capacitor and inductor respectively.

The Q-meter is based on the characteristic of the resistance, inductance and

capacitance of the resonant series circuit. The figure below shows a coil of resistance,
inductance and capacitance connected in series with the circuit.
The above equation shows that the input voltage E is Q times the voltage appears
across the capacitor. The voltmeter is calibrated for finding the value of Q factor.